Claudette Smith
Challenger for Amarillo Mayor
Smith/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 34
Q: How long have you lived in Amarillo?
A: 30 Years
Q: What is your educational background?
A: West Texas A&M University 2008 - 2012 Business Management, Marketing & Advertising, Business Administration and Political Science
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Business Owner
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.
A: Owner/Partner at Escape the Trap House Escape Rooms
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: N/A
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: www.claudettesmithformayor.com
https://www.facebook.com/claudettesmithformayor/
https://instagram.com/claudettesmithformayor?igshid=czt2fnzj1etv
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: I wholeheartedly believe that elected officials work FOR the people, not the other way around and I really want to bring that type of selfless service back to the citizens of Amarillo.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: Public Safety
Taxes & Fees
Small Businesses & Economic Development
Q: What is your opinion on taxpayer-funded lobbying? Please explain.
A: Paying Austin Lobbyists should NOT be a part of the local taxpayers burden. Taxpayers should not be paying for government to lobby against them. Using tax dollars to advocate policies that are not in the taxpayers best interest should be made illegal!
I believe the public has a right to know that their locally elected officials are using their taxpayer dollars to directly or indirectly influence the legislative process against the best interest of the citizens they represent. We should do everything we can to ensure that the public trust is never broken and do away with taxpayer-funded lobbying.
Q: Do you support moving municipal elections to November of even-numbered years? Please explain.
A: Yes. I believe November is a more practical and efficient time to conduct an election. Historically November elections result in a higher voter turn out, giving more citizens a more well rounded voice in who will be their local elected representation.
Q: Do you support single-member districts for City Council representation? Please explain.
A: Yes. I support the establishment of single-member districts because it provides voters with strong constituency representation because each voter has a single, easily identifiable, district representative. I feel it maximizes accountability because a single representative can be held responsible and can be re-elected or defeated in the next election, and it ensures geographic representation.
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: Government should live within its means, just like people do. We should balance the budget and fund priorities without raising our taxes.
Q: In the 2020 general election, did you support or oppose Proposition A ($275 million Amarillo Civic Center and downtown projects bond)? Please explain.
A: Opposed. While I am all for a new civic center, the proposed project that was put on the November 2020 ballot was a complete disaster. There were far too many unknowns with the project and the proposed cost was astronomical compared to what other cities have spent building similar venues in recent years.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: Economic Development & the retention of primary businesses & jobs.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: What separates me from other candidates is that I am NOT a politician. I am a statesman who wholeheartedly believes elected officials work FOR the people, not the other way around. I am not affiliated with any elitist or special interest groups, nor do I bear any interest in property or business located within the city limits of Amarillo. In other words, I cannot be bought. I bring new blood to the table with a clean slate and a collaborative and open mind that is willing to listen to ALL citizens.